The speech we hear is an indication of that which we don't hear. It is a necessary avoidance, a violent, sly, and anguished or mocking smoke screen which keeps the other in its true place. When true silence falls we are left with echo but are nearer nakedness. One way of looking at speech is to say that it is a constant stratagem to cover nakedness.

I believe the US is a truly monstrous force in the world, now off the leash for obvious reasons.

I tend to think that cricket is the greatest thing that God ever created on earth - certainly greater than sex, although sex isn't too bad either.

I think that NATO is itself a war criminal.

If Milosevic is to be tried, he has to be tried by a proper court, an impartial, properly constituted court which has international respect.

I was brought up in the War. I was an adolescent in the Second World War. And I did witness in London a great deal of the Blitz.

The Companion of Honour I regarded as an award from the country for 50 years of work - which I thought was okay.